γ-MnS films with 3D microarchitectures: comprehensive study of the synthesis, microstructural, optical and magnetic properties

In the present work, for the first time, we report gamma-MnS films with a 3D microsphere morphology prepared through a chemical bath deposition technique at low temperature under aqueous conditions. The X-ray diffraction study confirmed the formation of wurtzite phase gamma-MnS. Growth temperature induces a change in the morphology of gamma-MnS films from microspheres to microflakes, which may be due to the difference in the nucleation process. The obtained gamma-MnS microspheres have a surface area of similar to 25 m(2) g(-1). The photoluminescence spectra show a strong yellow emission band centered at about 550 nm. The obtained microsphere ensemble plays a crucial role in influencing the magnetic behavior of gamma-MnS films. The highest coercive field (3320 Oe) and saturation magnetization (17 emu g(-1)) were obtained for gamma-MnS microspheres prepared at 60 degrees C.